Dick Diver – New Name Blues

Jun

26

posted by Reggie Maurice

Ever since the onslaught of media attention following 2013′s ‘Calendar Days’, Dick Diver could have been working with major label producers to birth the perfect amalgam of dolewave and catchy synthpop to break into the Australian mainstream. It’s a story that has played out countless times throughout rock history. Thankfully though, the streak of restless rebellion is strong in this Melbourne band, and instead of the above scenario, we are gifted a surprising lo-fi vinyl release with refreshing political clout.

‘New Name Blues’ is an upbeat lament, a sad song in a major key. It’s a drawling account of the current state of things suspended under a delicate piano line. It’s tongue in cheek but it comes from a place of truth and sadness. ‘Dreamtime is done. Howard, Kochie and Bolt? They won.’ Dick Diver lyricise what even a cursory internet search into Indigenous health statistics in this country will confirm (and leave you with a big empty feeling in your stomach).

As if words weren’t enough, the whole thing ascends about midway through the track to a mournful passage of call and response between wandering slide guitar and a distant saxaphone. The reverb grows like an overwhelming wave, before it fades out and falls apart in a lazy malaise.

Receive irregular SD news/updates

Recent Comments

Song is so about crack cocaine addiction- one has to go to journey to the edge of Chicago namely Maywood, to get it and then I could go all day and stare at the tree people that only appear after days of no sleep and sucking that pipe. When one is in this state and believes in God, the demons (king of the underground) will appear and my sold to the devil soul will feel sorry for them. Replace “hey guys” with “hey God”…...

Sound Doctrine is a Sydney based music blog featuring streaming audio. If one of your songs is being streamed on Sound Doctrine and you want it taken down, send me an email at tommy[at]sounddoc[dot]net and down it comes. All songs are streamed to promote artists. If you'd like to submit your music just shoot me an email and if I'm able, I'll get back to you.

Also, Sound Doctrine has been optimised for every browser which isn't Internet Explorer. I don't know why you're still using it anyway.